Dhamar:A meeting in the Dhamar governorate, led by the Ministry's Undersecretary of Agriculture for the Plant Wealth Sector, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Siraji, focused on efforts to enhance crop production and the expansion of cash crop cultivation.
According to Yemen News Agency, the meeting included Deputy Head of the Governorate's Agriculture Sector Eng. Hafedh Al-Junaid, department directors, and several technical and administrative staff. Discussions covered projects and programs in the plant production sector, achievements to date, and challenges faced.
Dr. Al-Siraji reiterated the Ministry's commitment to expanding cash crop cultivation by leveraging available resources. He highlighted the necessity of coordinated efforts, improved fieldwork, and the activation of agricultural extension programs. The focus is on reclaiming barren lands and expanding the cultivation of citrus fruits, rare fruits, grains, and vegetables to boost production and achieve self-sufficiency.
Al-Siraji also emphasized the Ministry's efforts in managing agricultural value chains, urging completion of specialized units and production groups within cooperative societies. Strengthening partnerships with these groups to execute developmental programs and adopt productive projects to enhance food security was also discussed.
Eng. Al-Junaid outlined the sector's initiatives to expand wheat, maize, and legume cultivation and produce coffee and fruit seedlings. He mentioned awareness campaigns on safe pesticide use and the establishment of farmer field schools. The sector plans to produce 730,000 coffee seedlings over the next two Hijri years, with the Coffee Department overseeing their distribution in suitable areas.
Al-Junaid confirmed the production of 100,000 coffee seedlings in Madinat Al-Sharq, ready for distribution to farmers willing to replace qat trees with coffee. Additionally, local nurseries currently hold 180,000 fruit and forest tree seedlings.
Earlier, Undersecretary Al-Siraji inspected various departments within Dhamar's agriculture sector, receiving a briefing from Eng. Al-Junaid on performance levels and ongoing agricultural initiatives.
